The following posts have been retrieved for Travel
Inside the Blue Dollar

Inside the Blue Dollar

My latest article for the Argentina Independent, on the inner workings of the underground market for US currency in Argentina. Huge thanks to Marc Rogers, at the Indy, for his editorial acumen, reportage, and incredible patience on the long journey from idea to...

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Argentina vs the Vulture Funds: Wishing Won’t Make It So

Argentina vs the Vulture Funds: Wishing Won’t Make It So

My recent article for the Argentina Independent regarding recent developments in the default crisis. Greg Palast's recent proposal to end Argentina's default crisis has gone viral in some circles. President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner mentioned it in a televised...

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Buenos Aires: After Eight Months

Buenos Aires: After Eight Months

AFTER EIGHT MONTHS, I find Buenos Aires as entrancing and enchanting as the day that I arrived. For the record: I first typed "After seven months...", then stopped to add them up. Eight, it is. This is that kind of place - time just goes by. Following are further...

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On Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires

On Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires

Past rulers of Castilia include Ferdinand, Isabella, and Alfonso the Wise. "I am off to Argentina to learn Spanish," I say. "Spanish is easy," they say, "you'll pick it up in no time. Have fun." Those people are wrong. Spanish hasa remarkably low barrier to entry, it...

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Democracy Meets Tech in Experiment in Argentina

Democracy Meets Tech in Experiment in Argentina

A fascinating experiment in technology-enabled participatory democracy is happening, right now, in Argentina. They are called the Partido de la Red, and the Argentina Independent did a quality, thoughtful interview (in English) with their founders. The basic idea is...

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Buenos Aires: After The First Three Months

Buenos Aires: After The First Three Months

Arriving in some cities is like returning to a home that you never knew that you had. You walk off the plane and, unexpectedly, you are no longer traveling. For me, there have been four: San Francisco, New Orleans, Prague, and now, Buenos Aires. There is a quality...

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News Flash from the Argentine Economy

News Flash from the Argentine Economy

And the bombshells keep dropping! The peso fell 11% against the US dollar yesterday, the single steepest daily devaluation since the 2002 financial crisis. In response, the government announced that they would relax currency controls implemented in late 2011 to stem...

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Puerto Deseado

Puerto Deseado

Puerto Deseado, where Darwin once walked. At 47S, the air is thin and cool, even in full sun. The town is at sea level - the sea is just outside my hotel window - but the air feels like the mountains. Sunlight passes through without warming. The town itself is stark...

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